Dame Joan Sutherland, the legendary Australian soprano, graces the classical and opera scene with her timeless collection, "The Voice of the Century." Released on January 1, 2006, under Decca Music Group Ltd., this album is a testament to Sutherland's extraordinary vocal prowess and her enduring legacy in the world of opera.
Spanning a generous 2 hours and 34 minutes, this album is a comprehensive journey through some of the most celebrated arias from the opera repertoire. From the hauntingly beautiful "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma" to the virtuosic "Ah, fors'è lui" from Verdi's "La traviata," Sutherland's performances are nothing short of breathtaking. Her ability to convey the depth and nuance of each character is evident in every note, making this album a true showcase of her artistry.
The tracklist is a who's who of opera, featuring excerpts from iconic works such as "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Rigoletto," and "La Sonnambula." Sutherland's rendition of "The Bell Song" from "Lakmé" is a highlight, showcasing her incredible coloratura technique. The album also includes lesser-known but equally captivating pieces, such as "De cet affreux combat" from "Le Cid" and "Eccomi pronta" from "Beatrice di Tenda," demonstrating Sutherland's versatility and range.
For fans of classical music and opera, this album is a treasure trove of some of the most beloved arias performed by one of the greatest sopranos of all time. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Dame Joan Sutherland or a newcomer to the world of opera, "The Voice of the Century" is an essential addition to any music collection.
Roméo et Juliette, CG 9 / Act 1: "Ah, je veux vivre"Charles Gounod, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
La traviata / Act 1: "E strano!...Ah, fors'è lui...Sempre libera"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Lakmé / Act 2: "Où va la jeune Indoue" (Bell song)Léo Delibes, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Luisa Miller / Act 2: "Che! e segnar questo mano...Tu puniscimi, o Signore?"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Vasco da Gama: La Marguerite a fermé sa corolle... Ouvre ton coeurGeorges Bizet, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3.: "Oh, giusto cielo!...Il dolce suono"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3.: "Ohimè! sorge il tremendo fantasma...Ardon gl'incensi"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Rinaldo Pelizzoni, Cesare Siepi, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3: "Spargi d'amore pianto"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Robert Merrill, Cesare Siepi, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Norma / Act 1: Sediziose voci...Casta DivaVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Les contes d'Hoffmann / Act 2: Les oiseaux dans la charmilleJacques Offenbach, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge
I Puritani / Act 2: "O rendetemi la speme...Qui la voce...Vien, diletto"Vincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Der Opernball: Im chambre separéeRichard Heuberger, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Casanova: Nuns' ChorusJohann Strauss II, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Le Cid / Act 3: "De cet affreux combat...Pleurez, mes yeux"Jules Massenet, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
La Sonnambula / Act 2: Ah! non giunge uman pensieroVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Richard Bonynge
Faust, CG 4 / Act 3: "O Dieu! que de bijoux...Ah! je ris de me voir"Charles Gounod, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Semiramide / Act 1: Bel raggio lusinghierGioachino Rossini, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Semiramide / Act 1: Dolce pensieroGioachino Rossini, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Beatrice di Tenda / Act 2: "Eccomi pronta...Deh, se un' urna"Vincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
La fille du régiment / Act 2: Pour ce contrat fatal...Salut à la FranceGaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Richard Bonynge
Rigoletto / Act 1: "E il sol dell'anima"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Rigoletto / Act 1: "Gualtier Maldè...Caro nome"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ricardo Cassinelli, John Gibbs, Christian Du Plessis, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Eva / Act 1: War es auch nichts als ein TraumFranz Lehár, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Pacific 1860: This is a Changing WorldNoel Coward, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus, Decca Studio Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
L'elisir d'amore / Act 1: "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, English Chamber Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Turandot / Act 2: "In questa reggia"Giacomo Puccini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
Maria Stuarda / Act 2: "Da tutti abbandonata"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Richard Bonynge
Lucrezia Borgia / Act 2: Era desso il figlio mioGaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, The London Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Rosmonda d'Inghilterra: "Ancor non giunse...Perchè non ho dei vento...Torna, torna, o caro oggetto"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard